Introduction
Amazon Publishing company empowers authors to publish with ease. In the world of self-publishing, Amazon has established itself as a giant, especially with its Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) platform. This service allows anyone with a story to tell or knowledge to share to publish their books directly on Amazon’s vast marketplace, and it has been instrumental in the success of countless independent authors. However, with so much emphasis on the power of Amazon in the self-publishing industry, it can be tempting to think that your success depends entirely on continuously improving your Amazon publishing company. But is it really necessary to pour endless effort into tweaking your Amazon publishing strategy? Should you focus on improving your Amazon publishing company indefinitely, or is it time to step back and reassess your approach?
In this blog, we’ll discuss why it might be time to forget about the idea of constantly improving your Amazon publishing company. While it’s important to adapt and grow, focusing too much on Amazon’s platform can limit your potential. Let’s take a look at why stepping back might be a wise move for the long-term success of your publishing endeavors.
1. Amazon Doesn’t Own Your Readers
One of the biggest misconceptions about Amazon publishing is that success on the platform guarantees a loyal following. Many authors invest significant time and energy into improving their presence on Amazon, believing that they can “own” the readers they gain through the platform. While Amazon is a fantastic way to reach millions of readers, it’s important to understand that Amazon controls the customer relationship, not you. If you only focus on improving your Amazon publishing company, you could be risking the future of your business by not building relationships with readers outside of Amazon.
Why You Should Stop Focusing on Amazon: Focusing exclusively on Amazon means that you're at the mercy of the platform's rules and algorithms. Amazon can change its policies at any time, which may negatively affect your visibility or sales. Instead, you should work on building an email list, engaging with your readers on social media, and fostering a personal connection with your audience. Diversifying your reader engagement efforts will help you stay resilient in case of any changes on the Amazon platform.
2. The Trap of Amazon’s Algorithms
Amazon’s algorithm is an enigma that determines which books get seen by readers and which ones get lost in the digital ether. While optimizing your Amazon publishing strategy to rank higher in search results is important, focusing too heavily on improving your Amazon presence by trying to game the system can be a never-ending cycle. Many authors spend a disproportionate amount of time and energy trying to figure out Amazon’s algorithm, tweaking keywords, experimenting with pricing strategies, and using every promotion trick under the sun.
Why You Should Forget About It: Amazon’s algorithms change constantly. Trying to chase after the latest trends or algorithm tweaks often leads to burnout, and what works today may not work tomorrow. Instead of dedicating yourself solely to Amazon optimization, it’s better to focus on building a sustainable author business by creating quality content, establishing your brand, and looking for opportunities to diversify your revenue streams.
3. Amazon Publishing Isn’t the Only Game in Town
While Amazon dominates the self-publishing space, it’s not the only platform where authors can find success. Many writers forget that there are alternative platforms like Barnes & Noble Press, Kobo, Apple Books, and Google Play Books, all of which offer opportunities for self-publishing. In fact, focusing solely on Amazon can leave money on the table and limit your audience.
Why You Should Diversify: There is a whole world of readers beyond Amazon. By focusing only on Amazon, you’re ignoring other platforms where your books can also perform well. Taking the time to distribute your books on multiple platforms increases your visibility and provides additional opportunities for sales. Plus, if something goes wrong with your Amazon account, having your books available elsewhere ensures you don’t lose all your sales.
4. The Importance of Brand Building Outside of Amazon
Focusing only on Amazon publishing means you are allowing your brand to be tied solely to their ecosystem. Amazon has no investment in your personal brand as an author; it’s invested in Amazon itself. While it’s true that Amazon provides great tools and resources for self-published authors, it’s important to remember that Amazon is a marketplace, not a platform for personal branding.
Why You Should Build Your Brand Elsewhere: Building your brand outside of Amazon is essential for creating a long-term career as an author. Creating an author website, establishing an online presence on social media, and engaging with readers directly gives you more control over your brand. Whether or not you’re selling books on Amazon, these efforts ensure that you’re not entirely reliant on one platform for your success.
5. The Hidden Costs of Constantly Improving Your Amazon Publishing Company
It’s easy to fall into the trap of spending all your time and energy on improving your Amazon publishing strategy. From investing in paid advertising to adjusting pricing strategies to playing the keyword game, there’s a seemingly endless list of tasks to optimize your performance on Amazon. However, many of these activities come with hidden costs, such as the time and money you invest in constantly fine-tuning your strategy.
Why You Should Stop Wasting Time: If you’re spending more time adjusting your Amazon publishing company than actually writing or creating content, you’re missing out on the true purpose of being an author: to write books and connect with your readers. By focusing too much on Amazon optimization, you’re sacrificing your writing time and your ability to grow your brand. It’s important to strike a balance and prioritize long-term goals rather than short-term fixes.
6. Lack of Control Over Your Sales and Earnings
When you publish on Amazon, you have limited control over your sales and earnings. You are subjected to Amazon’s commission rates, which can range from 30% to 65%, depending on the price of your book. Additionally, Amazon frequently changes its policies, which can impact your earnings. In an ideal world, authors should have full control over their pricing and revenue, but Amazon limits this.
Why You Should Look for Alternatives: Self-publishing doesn’t have to mean submitting to the whims of Amazon’s policies. There are other ways to sell your books and generate revenue, such as creating your own online store, utilizing crowdfunding platforms, or offering your books on your website with an integrated payment system. These alternatives give you greater control over your sales and earnings, making it worth considering a strategy beyond Amazon.
7. The Future of Publishing Is Diversifying
Self-publishing is constantly evolving. The future of publishing is about diversifying and building a robust author business that doesn’t rely on just one platform or income stream. As more authors get savvy about their publishing efforts, the opportunities to create a sustainable career have expanded beyond Amazon. From audiobooks to subscription services to Patreon, authors today have more ways to monetize their work than ever before.
Why You Should Be Thinking Long-Term: Instead of focusing all your energy on improving your Amazon publishing company, think about diversifying your author business. Explore other ways to monetize your books, such as offering audiobook versions, creating a membership site, or even starting a podcast. By expanding your income streams, you can weather any storm, whether it’s a change in Amazon’s algorithm or a shift in the industry.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Should I completely stop focusing on Amazon publishing?
No, you don’t need to completely stop using Amazon for your books. However, it’s important to not focus all of your efforts on Amazon alone. Diversifying your efforts and growing your brand outside of Amazon can help protect you from unforeseen changes in the platform.
- Can I make money without using Amazon for publishing?
Yes, there are multiple platforms like Barnes & Noble Press, Kobo, and Apple Books that allow authors to publish their books and make money. Building your own website and using other revenue streams, like audiobooks, also contributes to earning income outside of Amazon.
- How do I build my author brand outside of Amazon?
Start by creating a website where readers can learn about you, buy your books directly, and engage with your content. Use social media platforms to engage with your readers, build an email list, and participate in author interviews or podcasts to increase your visibility.
- Is it worth investing in paid advertising for Amazon publishing?
Paid advertising can be effective on Amazon if done strategically, but don’t rely on it as your only marketing tool. Diversifying your marketing efforts, including social media promotion, email marketing, and even collaborations with other authors, can help broaden your reach and increase your long-term success.
- What if Amazon changes its rules and reduces royalties?
That’s a possibility, which is why diversifying your income streams is key. If Amazon reduces royalties or changes policies, having other platforms and ways to engage with your audience ensures you don’t lose your business.
Conclusion
While Amazon’s KDP platform has been a game-changer for many self-published authors, it’s important not to become too fixated on improving your Amazon publishing company. The world of self-publishing is vast, and focusing solely on Amazon can limit your potential. By building a diversified, long-term author business, you ensure your success regardless of what changes might happen on Amazon. Focus on creating great books, connecting with your readers, and exploring new revenue streams to ensure lasting success in the world of self-publishing.
